Man on bail following seizure of just over €1.05m worth of drugs at Dublin Port

A truck driver charged following a seizure of just over €1 million worth of cocaine at Dublin Port has taken up bail and will face his next hearing in November. Officers of the Revenue Commissioners Customs Service and the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau discovered approximately 15kg of cocaine following the interception of a haulage vehicle that had just arrived at Dublin Port from Britain last Saturday.

Maurice McCreesh (37), Forkhill, Newry, Co Down, a father of three, was arrested and held at Store Street Garda station where he was charged with possessing the cocaine with intent to supply, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Det Garda Sgt Tim Casey said Mr McCreesh "made no reply" after he was charged. The value of the drugs was estimated to be €1,050,000 and Mr McCreesh had made no effort to conceal the cocaine, he also said.

On Monday he had been remanded in custody with consent to bail set at €10,000 cash. On Friday he appeared before Judge Victor Blake at Cloverhill District Court. Det Garda Sgt Casey said directions from the DPP need to be obtained and documents were awaited from other agencies. Mr McCreesh has taken up bail and is to stay at an address in the midlands. He also has to sign on daily at Kells Garda station. He has been ordered to surrender his passport, to obey a 11pm-7am curfew and not to leave the jurisdiction without the agreement of Det Garda Sgt Casey. The case was adjourned until November 13th.

Earlier in the proceedings his solicitor had said he had two children living in the Republic, he had ties to this jurisdiction and was able to provide an address here.